A specimen of a rare species of whale has been found washed ashore on a beach in New Zealand.
The animal's five-metre-long carcass was discovered near the town of Dunedin, South Island, on 4 July. The local Department of Conservation (DOC) suspects that it is likely a male spade-toothed whale (Mesoplodon traversii), one of the rarest and least known species. Until now, few examples of this species have been found.
“Spade-toothed whales are one of the most poorly known large mammalian species of modern times," said DOC's Gabe Davies. "Since the 1800s, only six samples have ever been documented worldwide, and all but one of these was from New Zealand. From a scientific and conservation point of view, this is huge.”
Samples of the animal have been dispatched to the University of Auckland for DNA analysis. However, the results may not be known for several weeks, owing to the species’ rarity. The whale is now stored in a refrigerated warehouse to preserve its remains.
The researchers are also consulting with New Zealand's indigenous Maori community to make sure the mammal is treated appropriately and with respect. The Maori see whales not just as mere animals. They believe they share a significant connection with the marine mammals and see them as their ancestors.
Parts of jaws and teeth from a spade-toothed whale were first discovered in 1874. Since then, only a few have been found, including two full specimens - for the first time - in 2010. These were a mother and her calf that had been stranded on New Zealand’s North Island and subsequently died.
Spade-toothed whales have never been documented alive in the sea.
